Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney wants closer links with the European Union and is exploring whether his country could become an “associate member” of the bloc, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
    • ragepaw@lemmy.caEnglish
      9·
      2 days ago

      There is no such thing specifically as an associate membership in the EU.

      But what Carney described, "What we are looking and will begin discussion for, is a unique alliance with the European Union, between Canada and the European Union.” sounds an awful lot like what Norway or Iceland has. You could call that associated members.

      I also find the language interesting. “We’re not looking to become a member of the European Union.”

      That could be 100% true, while the WSJ article is also true. Those are not mutually exclusive. There is not associated membership today. Membership in the EU today is only as a full member. He’s a man who intentionally picks his words. I wouldn’t discount the WSJ article yet.

      • AGM@lemmy.ca
        4·
        2 days ago

        The EU’s ambassador to Canada also said this:

        “What we have in mind is something different from what we have with other countries,” Geneviève Tuts said in a Wednesday interview. “That will be something unique

        So, also sounds like something a bit different from Norway or Iceland.

        • ragepaw@lemmy.caEnglish
          3·
          2 days ago

          It very well could be. I remember months ago seeing some rumblings from some EU countries that they wanted a new tier, apart from what is there now because of how problematic obstructionist countries can be.

          We’ll have to see. It could be good, it could be bad. I’m reserving judgement for now.

  • DeadEndLink@lemmy.ca
    22·
    3 days ago

    I was for this 2 years ago. Now the EU is only slightly less ridiculous than the U.S.